A Devon hotelier dubbed 'the female Basil Fawlty' for her rants at guests has written from prison where she is on remand accused of arson - and dubbed it 'HMP Butlins'.

Colourful Shirley Bothroyd, a 59-year-old former barrister, says she is 'clear of booze' and enjoying her time behind bars. She runs the Bay Hotel in Teignmouth, and in recent months she has appeared in court on a number of occasions.

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She is awaiting trial and being held in Eastwood Park womens' prison in Gloucestershire from where she sent a letter to a local newspaper headed "Greetings from HMP Butlins!"

In her letter she declares 'I am fine!', and states that she is using the gym and library, gardening and cooking. She says her food and drink is not being 'spiked with crack cocaine anymore'.

She also adds she is 'clear of booze', and has stopped smoking.

The entrance to HMP Eastwood Park, Bristol.

Ms Bothroyd is due to appear before South Devon magistrates at Newton Abbot on October 2 facing a number of charges. In addition to the charge relating to the alleged arson, she has been remanded on two charges of throwing down, leaving or otherwise depositing litter.

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The charges said that on August 16 in Teignmouth she threw down rotting food waste, household rubbish and smashed bottles in Powderham Terrace.

(Image: APEX)

She has previously appeared in court charged with one common assault; four assaults by beating; two assaults on police officers; one use of threatening behaviour and failing to answer bail or surrender to police. She denies all of the charges.